Key stroke counting mechanism



June 16, 1936. H. N. BLISS 2,044,202

KEY STROKE COUNTING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 10, l930 Fig.3.

Patented June 16, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,044,: KEY s'moxn comma MECHANISM Harvey N. Bliss, Hartford, Com,

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llaigno Veeder-Root, Incorporated, a corporation of Connecticut Application January 10, 1930, Serial No. 419,936 8 Claims. (Cl. 285-102) My invention relates to key stroke counting mechanism.

In the accompanying drawing I have shown for purposes of illustration two embodiments which my invention m 25 In the drawing,-

Figure 1 is a front elevation of one form 01' the same shown in position on a machine, only portions of the latter being shown tosiznpliiy illus- I tration. 30 Fig. 2 is a rear elevation with the operating parts shown in another position in dotted lines.

Fig. 3 is an end view of the structure shown in Figure 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged partial end view showing :35 the parts in a position corresponding to the dotted 45 shown in dotted lines in Figure 7.

Fig. 9 is a detailed sectional view on line 8-9 Figure 8.

Considering first the construction shown in Figures 1 to 4, it will be noted that I have shown, as before, a counter Also, it will be noted that as in my previously menadvanceof one-tenth of a unit for each complete the position shown in Figure 4 to that shown in laterally extending spaced extensions H underlying the machine frame l2 and connectible thereto by suitable screws erati ely connected to improved key stroke operated operating. mechanism.

More particularly considering the latter mechanism, it will be noted that a lever liis extended at one end, as at 16, at a point remote from the the upper wall I1 01' a notch formed in the underside of the 'outerend or the lever, 5 just outside the portion 01' the lever 5 which engages the lugs eration of a printing will be moved by the spring 28 of the lever l5. whenever the lever Thus, it will be evident that I5 isdepressed as by the opkey or the space bar, the lever 5 will be pulled down by the spring l8 within the limit established by the lower lug 1 to the position indicated in Figure 4, whereas when the member I5 is moved oppositely about its pivot upon the release of the key or the space bar, the member 5 will be returned to initial position shown in Figure 3, i. e. against the upper lug 1.

Associated with the member l5 and operative to move it about its pivot is herein a connected lever 25 extending upwardly from the pivot l6 and preferably integrally united with the member l5 and forming therewith a bell crank lever. Herein this member 25 also has its upper end provided with a protruding abutment face 26 engageable with the universal bar 21 of the machine, which bar is as usually operative upon each key stroke or each operation of the space bar. It will also be noted that herein I have provided a coiled spring 28 which is connected between a laterally extending pin 29, carried on the-portion ID of the [5, and a laterally extending lug 38 on the latter member, this spring being located between the pivot" and the lug 20 but nearer the latter. Herein, this spring 28 acts to return the levers l5 and 25 to the intial position indicated in full lines in Figures 2 and 3. To prevent abuse I may, as herein, also provide a pin 3| on the portion Ill projecting into the path of the member l5 between the lug 38 and pivot l6. In the operation of the mechanism, it will be evident that whenever the universal bar is operated, the member "25 and the connected member l5 will be moved from the full to the dotted line position illustrated in Figure 2. As a result, through the spring l8, the lever '5 will be moved from the position shown in Figure 3 to the position shown in Figure 4, i. e. between the limits established by the lugs 1. when, however, the universal bar moves backward automatically in the operation of the machine, 1-.- e. on release of the key or space bar, the members 25' and [5 to the full'line position illustrated in 3mm: through its counter actuating or working ure 4 to the position-shown in Figure -3. It will also be evident that irrespective of variations in the stroke or any of the connected mechanism, the lever 5 will desired amount to provide an accurate count. Moreover, it will be evident that over-travel is permitted the member l5 or any of the connected mec curacy of the/count; It will also be noted that in one direction of movement the frontendof the member l5- will move away from the men ber 5, and that the latter will be pulled'down by the spring l8 until it engages the lower stop 1, while in the return operation. under the action of the spring 28, the front end of the member l5 will engage the surface-l1 on.

the member 5 and positively lift the latter."

Considering the construction shown in Fig ures 5 to 9, it will be noted is arranged substantially as previously described with respect to its support, and that it has a similar bracket 8 attached by similar screws 8. Herein, however, it will be observed that bracket 8 rests against a vertically disposed flat bracket member 40 having-a lateralextension 4| thereon provided with lugs 42, correspondbracket above the member ly under the pin Figure 2, and move the' i. e. from. the position shown in Figbe moved through the without disturbing the acalthough in the present -that the counter extending pin 50 carried on the lever 5 at a point between the lugs 42 and the axis of the lever. This spring also extends downwardly as illustrated in Figure '1 and is connected. at its lower end to an upstanding extension 5| on an actuating member 52. As shown, this member 52 is also provided with tion 53 engageable with the underside of the lever 5 and located at-one side of its portion 5| and extending upward toward the lever 5 as illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 at a point substantial- 50. This member 52 is herein also provided with a laterally extending portion extending inside the frame beneath the lower ing 42 and with an upwardly inclined and then a laterally disposed portion on its inner end. The latter portion is also provided with a bent over portion 56'adapted to engage a part 54 of the machine escapement bracket and be clamped thereto by suitable means as for example, a screw 55. i 4 I In operation it will be evident that the escapement bracket being movable with each operation of any printing key or the space bar, the member 52 will then be moved from the full to the dotted line position shown in Figure 7 in such manner -as through the spring 49 to pull down the lever 5 from the position shown in Figure '7 to theposition shown in Fig. 8. It will also be evident that when the key or space bar is 'released,- the escapement bracket and the connected mechanism mentioned, will be returned by the machine to the upper position in Fig. '1. It will also be observed that throughthe use of the spring 49 any desired over-travel arising from a longer stroke of any key or part of the connected mechanism will be permitted while the lever 5 will be operated in insure an accurate operation of the counter irrespective of such variations.- Further, it will be evident that where the touchof the operator varies, this over-travel mechanism will function similarly. It will ceeds the limit of the stroke permitted lever 5 the spring'49 will assist in the return of the parts during that part of the return stroke representing the over-travel of member 52 and previous to-the engagement of portion 53 with lever 5 and that the portion 58 will also have a function corresponding to that of the front end of the" lever l5 which in my previouslydescribed construction, engages the upper wall. H of. the notch provided in the outer 'end of the lever 5, construction, no .such notch is provided.

The term "writing machine occurring in the claims is used herein in a generic sense to include typewriters, tabulators, or the like, and is intended to cover any machine in which manually operated keys are utilized for performing operations on a machine regardless of whether the .manual operations are for actuatin chara higher upstanding par suchmanner as to also be evident that whenever the stroke of the member 52 exacter forming keys, space bars, or for other operative functions oi-the machine.

While I have in this application specifically described two embodiments which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that these forms of the same are used for purposes of illustration and that the structure may be modified and embodied in other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope ofthe appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:- v

1. Actuating mechanism for a counter applied to a key operated writing machine and having a swinging operating arm element limited in its travel in both directions, said mechanism comprising transmitting members between said element and a reversely movable element of the machine, one of said transmitting members having lost motion operating relation to said arm element, another ofsaid members being a resilient Y pull member, said mechanism being operative on movement of said second element in one direction to move said arm element in one direction by said pull member from one of its travel limits to the other, with said pull member permitting overtravel of said second element, and

said first transmitting member being operative.

to efiect a return movement of said arm element from said other travel limit to the first named limit by directing engagement of said member with said arm element.

2. Actuating mechanism for a counter applied to a key operated writing machine and having a swinging operating arm element limited in its movement in both directions and having a free end, said mechanism comprising transmitting members between said arm element and a reversely movable element of the machine, one of said members having lost motion contact engagement with the freeend 01 said arm element, another of said members comprising a resilient pull member connecting the first member with the end of said arm element, said mechanism being operative on movement of said second element in one direction to move said arm element in one direction byssaid pull member from one oi. its travel limits to the other, and said first transmitting member being operative to eiIe'ct a return movement of said arm element by direct actuation thereof.

3. Actuating mechanism for a counter applied to a key operated writing machine and having a swinging operating arm element limited in its travel and having a free end, said mechanism comprising a swinging member operated in opposite directions upon movement in opposite directions of an actuating reversely movable element of the machine and having lost motion contact engagement with said arm element and movable angularly independently of said element, and resilient pull means extending between and connecting said swinging member to said arm element and moving said arm element in one direction through said resilient pull means, said swinging member moving said element in the opposite direction by.direct engagement therewith.

4. Actuating mechanism for a counter applied to a key operated writing machine and having a swinging operating arm with a free end limited in its travel, said mechanism comprising a swinging member operated in opposite directions upon movement in opposite directions of an element of the machine, said swinging member having a free end and a portion at said end disposed transversely to and adjacent the free end of said arm and adapted to contact and push said arm laterally to actuate the same in one direction, and yielding connecting means between the free end of said arm and the free end of said member by which said arm is moved in the opposite direction.

5. Actuating mechanism for a counter applied to a key operated writing machine and having a swinging operating arm element with limited travel, said mechanism comprising a member swinging in a plane transverse to said arm ele-- ment and movable in one direction by a movable element of the machine, a spring connecting said member with a fixed part of the machine and urging said member in the opposite direction, said member having a free end extending adjacent the free end of said arm element and adapted to contact and push said arm element in one direction, and a spring connecting said swinging member with said arm element for actuating the latter in the opposite direction.

6. Actuating mechanism for a counter mounted on a bracket on a key operated writing machine and having a swinging operating arm ele- 'ment and said lever and adapted to pull said arm element to move it in the opposite direction.

7. Actuating mechanism for a counter applied to a key operated writing machine and having a swinging operating arm element limited in its travel, said mechanism comprising a swinging member swung in opposite directions by an element of themachine, said swinging member being movable in a plane in which said arm element swings and having a free end adapted 5 to engage and push said arm element to actuate it in one direction, and a spring interconnecting said arm element and said member and adapted to pull said arm element to actuate it in the opposite direction.

8. actuating mechanism for a counter applied to a key operated writing machine and provided with a swinging operating arm having a free end with limited up and down travel, said mecha' nism comprising a swinging member having a free end moved up and down by Opposite movements of an element of the machine, said swinging member being mounted to swing in a plane in which said arm swings and having an upturned transverse portion at its free end underlying and adapted to contact the free end of said arm and actuate said arm by lifting the same, and a spring connecting the free end of said arm with the free end of said swinging member for eifecting downward actuation of said arm.

' HARVEY N. BLISS.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,044,202. June 16, 1936.

HARVEY N. BLISS.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of 1 the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, first column, line 19, for the word "usually" read usual; line 29, for "intial" read initial; page 3, first column, line 31 claim 1, for "directing" read direct; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office. v

Signed and sealed this 15th day of September, A. D. 1956;

Henry Van Arsdale (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents;

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,044,202. June 16, V1936.

HARVEY N. BLISS.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of 1 the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, iirst co-lumn, line 19, for the word "usually" read usual; line 29, for "intial" read initial; page 3, first column, line 31, claim 1, for "directing" read direct; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these correc tions therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office. Signed and sealed this 15th day of September, A. D. 1956.

Henry Van Arsdale (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

